Our Instructors

Michael Holland

General Manager/Theatre/Fitness Director

Michael has been involved in theatre for over ten years as a performer, and as a director. He has been an instructor with Moving Art since 2004. He has a passion for drama, improv and musical theatre and enjoys sharing this with others. He has done puppetry, long form improv and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program in Toronto. Michael is also a recent graduate of Gold Coast, Australia’s Stunt Academy. Michael’s stunt certification includes: high fall, weapons, abseiling, driving, fight choreo/tumbling, water and fire.

As someone who enjoys learning about the arts, Michael continues to find time to study guitar, voice, tumbling, circus and puppetry. Favourite theatre credits include: Stinky Luke in Treasure island (Theatre By The Bay), The Cat in Seussical the Musical (KCP), a Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Sunshine Festival), Mark Cohen in Rent (The Loft Art Space), Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream (TBTB), Brad in Rocky Horror Show (The Loft Art Space), Riff Raff in Rocky Horror Show (The Loft Art Space), Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (KCP).

Alongside being an actor in shows, he also enjoys directing and co-writing, shows that have performed on many stages across the GTA including the Toronto Fringe Festival. Favourite directorial credits include: Fairy Tale Rock, Land of Make Believe, Ice, and Adventure Island (all shows which he also co-wrote), Alice In Wonderland Jr., Into the Woods, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Aladdin Jr., 13 The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Disney’s Tarzan. Micheal is the co-founder of The Loft Art Space. He is the lead instructor for the Vedette Program at Kempenfelt Bay School. He continues to perform with the co-founded sketch comedy group ‘Those Guys’. He looks forward to another year with Moving Art, teaching in the schools, and at the Centre.

Meaghan Ing

Music Director

Meaghan teaches voice, piano and Triple Threat at Moving Art. She is a graduate of Sheridan Institute’s Music Theatre Performance program. She has her grade 10 piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music as well grade 9 voice. Past credits include: They’re Playing Our Song (Showboat Festival Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (The Loft), Race Day! (Lighthouse Festival Theatre), the U.S. National Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Drayton/Columbia), Come By The Hills (Smile Theatre), Side By Side By Sondheim (Theatre Collingwood), Urinetown (Theatre Sheridan). Meaghan received a THEA award for Best Musical Direction for her work on South Simcoe Theatre’s production of Little Women in 2007.

Currently, Meaghan teaches Music Theory at George Brown College, and is also the accompanist for the George Brown ballet program. She provided entertainment for the Princess Royal’s visit to Barrie. Meaghan is also the vocalist for the Baytowne Big Band.

As the Music Director at Moving Art, she has led the vocals of the Junior Triple Threat Program in Annie Jr., Little Mermaid Jr. and Peter Pan Jr. She has led both the vocals and the band of the Senior Triple Threat Program in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Seussical the Musical and Disney’s Tarzan.

Kieren Day

Dance/Theatre Instructor

Kieren’s passion for the arts started when he was five. He has been performing and training ever since. He attended York University as a Dance Major, for a short time, and he is now back home at Moving Art to train and teach. He is currently part of the Teacher Training School at Dance Masters of America and is moving onto his second year with them.

Kieren has competed in many dance competitions across Canada and is enjoying passing on his knowledge and experience to the students. Kieren’s first love is dance but he also trained in Musical Theatre growing up. He has been choreographing some musicals in his spare time such as; Moving Art’s Aladdin Jr, KCP’s Honk Jr, and now he is currently choreographing KCP’s Spelling Bee.

Kieren does love performing and he finds his way to the stage every now and then. He was recently part of The Rocky Horror Show for his second year and was part of Moving Art’s touring show. He also danced down the Main Street in Magic Kingdom (Disney World) along side some of the other Moving Art Performers.

This year he is teaching dance at Moving Art and also the Dance/Drama programmes in the schools, for his third year now. Kieren wants to help kids further their dance skills and wants you to get up and MOVE IT!

Kendra Perry

Dance Instructor

Kendra has had a love of dance for over 19 years. Her experience in teaching and assisting students, in dance, began in 2002. Kendra has won many awards at competitions in Ontario and the USA. She has studied with many choreographers over the years, including Shane Sparks, Blake McGrath and Mia Michaels. She has been commended for her choreography around Barrie and the GTA receiving overall awards for her routines at competitions, as well as doing choreography for shows such as “Dear Edwina” and “Alice in Wonderland” by Kempenfelt Community Players.

Upon graduation in June 2009, she received two scholarships; one for her excellent contribution in dance and the other for the highest mark in dance. Kendra is a Level 2 trained gymnastics coach and has been coaching athletes, ages 1-12, recreational to pre-competitive, for 5 years. Kendra is a highly sought after dancer, performing for Weddings, Bravado, Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’ Tribute Concert, and at Pearson International Airport for International Dance Day. She has enjoyed training students at Simcoe Dance Academy, Barrie Parks and Recreation, and Northern Stars Gymnastics. Kendra is excited to continue to share her love and passion for dance with everyone at Moving Art.

Melanie Holland

Theatre/Dance/Fitness Instructor

Melanie is very excited to join the Moving Art team! After finishing up her university career, she is a proud recepient of her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier and her Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University. She has spent many summers working at day camps as a counselor and as a supervisor. She has always enjoyed working with children and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with them in the area of art and fitness.

As a sports specialist, Melanie participates and coaches locally and in the GTA. Her most memorable experience was the opportunity for her volleyball team to travel and play in Hawaii. Melanie is glad to be able to share her expertise in sports and fitness with the Stretch and Strength class at Moving Art.

Since starting at Moving Art Melanie has been involved in the backstage work of many productions. She has assisted with lights and set for Little Mermaid Jr., Seussical the Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, Peter Pan Jr, and Tarzan. Melanie was the stage manager for the Rocky Horror Show at The Loft Art Space.

She is super excited to be here and work in such a great place!

Heather Dennis

Dance/Theatre Instructor

Heather is a graduate of the joint Theatre and Drama Studies program at U of T and Sheridan College. Hanging on her wall at home is an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and a degree in Professional Acting Training from Sheridan. She has performed in numerous plays and musicals in Mississauga, Toronto, and Simcoe County, but has gained valuable experience working as a director and choreographer for several productions as well. Throughout her career as a student, Heather was trained in disciplines such as vocals, stage combat, mask, and clown to name a few. Heather has worked with all ages and is privileged enough to have also worked with industry professionals, emerging artists, and first-timers throughout her various theatrical adventures. Favourite past credits include: Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (The Loft), Jacqueline in Murder on the Nile (Village Players), and Dabby in Our Country’s Good (Theatre Erindale).

Heather is thrilled to be a part of the Moving Art faculty, having been a student herself! She is also currently the head instructor of the drama program and recreational tap lessons at Nicole Jacklin School of Dance in Alliston. Heather’s students continue to compete all over Ontario in dance competitions, winning special awards and overall titles for their hard work and her choreography.